NHL Daily Fantasy Picks and Helper: Friday 12/1/23

NHL DFS is similar to MLB in terms of how you build lineups, how you view stacking, and how to value players.

Two main points to always focus on in NHL DFS are what lines the players are on and making sure the goalies you are rostering are confirmed as the starters.

Two of the best resources for that are LeftWingLock.com and DailyFaceOff.com. That is where you can find updated forward and power-play lines for each team, along with which goalies are confirmed as the starters.

Let's jump in and take a look at today's slate, find a goalie, some stacks, and some value plays for your NHL DFS lineups on FanDuel.

NHL DFS Picks

Goalie to Target

Joonas Korpisalo, Ottawa Senators ($8,100)

With just a two-game slate to pick from tonight, Joonas Korpisalo jumps out as the best option of the four goalies playing.

The numbers for Korpisalo don't jump off the page, but the matchup is an intriguing one. The Ottawa Senators will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets, setting up Korpisalo for a potentially good night.

Columbus has been an odd offensive team. They're creating chances well via their 63.17 Corsi For per 60 minutes -- which ranks 9th in the NHL. Despite the high rate of creating chances, they're 25h in the NHL with 2.84 Goals For per 60 minutes. That's good news for playing Korpisalo.

The Senators' netminder has posted a 3.34 goals against average and .902 save percentage in 12 starts thus far. That's nothing to celebrate, but those are numbers that will get it done -- especially with the other goalies available to us tonight.

numberFire's model has Korpisalo projected for 18.9 FanDuel points.

Stacks

New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils couldn't have it better tonight, getting the San Jose Sharks in the second game of a back-to-back.

While both teams did play last night, it's easy to favor the Devils with the Sharks still struggling in every aspect of the game. San Jose has scored just 6 goals in 10 road games, losing every single one of them.

The Sharks are bottom of the league in Corsi For (49.9) and Corsi Against (71.96). Their limited ability to score or stop other teams from doing the same is why the Devils are geared up for a huge offensive output.

New Jersey has been one of the best offensive units this season. The Devils rank sixth in the league with a 65.22 Corsi For per 60 minutes. They're also scoring the fifth-most goals per 60 minutes, averaging a 3.6 clip.

Kaapo Kahkonen will be in net for the Sharks. He's put together a 4.12 goals against average and .889 save percentage. Perhaps the best news for the Devils is that he's allowed three or more goals in five of his last six games.

When stacking the Devils tonight, it all starts with the top-line duo of Jack Hughes ($10,300) and Tyler Toffoli ($7,900). They're the top two projected skaters of the night, per numberFire's model, with Hughes expected to finish with a slate-high clip of 24.7 FanDuel points.

New Jersey comfortably has the best implied total of the night, coming in at a stunning 4.23, per numberFire's heat map.

Value Skaters

Drake Batherson, W, Ottawa Senators ($5,900)

There's a lot to like about Drake Batherson tonight.

Batherson has had a strong season thus far, playing on the right side of Tim Stutzle. The second-line right winger has 6 goals, 6 assists, and 12 points through 17 games -- a solid rate for what we're looking for from a value standpoint.

Along with being paired with Stutzle, Batherson also plays on the top power-play unit. It's these opportunities that we're often looking for with value plays -- especially with so few games on the slate.

The 25-year-old is averaging 17:32 time on ice and 2.59 shots per game -- both quality numbers for this salary.

numberFire's model is all in on Batherson tonight, projecting him to score 16.1 FanDuel points.

Nico Hischier, C, New Jersey Devils ($5,000)

Nico Hischier has found his game since returning from a upper-body injury.

In three games since coming back to the New Jersey Devils' lineup, Hischier has recorded five points (two goals, three assists), which is a welcome sign after he struggled earlier in the campaign.

Hischier's role is similar to Batherson's, as he centers the second line while also taking a spot on the first power-play unit. Considering that the Sharks have been so poor on defense this season, it's an ideal night to slot Hischier into DFS lineups.

He's averaging 17:25 time on ice for the year but has played more than 20 minutes in back-to-back games.

In terms of numberFire projections, their model is expecting Hischier to finish with 16.0 FanDuel points.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.